JP2004061710A - Index updating method of retrieval type karaoke remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generalize a retrieval type karaoke remote controller for multiple providers and multiple machine types with rational architecture. <P>SOLUTION: The latest musical piece index database covering many karaoke machine types is prepared in an information providing device. This remote controller informs the information providing device of the latest period information and machine type IDs that that controller has. The information providing device extracts song index data that the remote controller does not have according to the reported period information and property data by the machine types that the karaoke remote controller does not have according to the reported period information and machine type IDs, and transmits the extracted data to the retrieval type karaoke remote controller. The remote controller additionally registers the received song name index data and property data by the machine types in the musical piece index database. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a search-type karaoke remote control device used in conjunction with a karaoke performance device, and more particularly to an index update of a search-type karaoke remote control device that can be used widely regardless of karaoke providers (karaoke software production distributors) and karaoke models. About the method.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-137485 discloses in detail the invention of a karaoke system using a karaoke performance device, a search-type karaoke remote control device, and a charging device. When the search-type karaoke remote control device is not used, it is loaded into the charging device, and the internal battery of the remote control device is always kept charged. The charging device is connected to the karaoke performance device. The remote control device and the karaoke performance device mounted on the charging device communicate with each other via the charging device, and the karaoke performance device updates the index of the remote control device.
[0003]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 7-234691 discloses a karaoke apparatus of a corresponding model, in which an IC card storing dedicated index data for each karaoke model is prepared, and an IC card for a certain model is loaded into a remote controller. The present invention discloses a karaoke music selection system capable of making a performance reservation for a karaoke song.
[0004]
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-98265 and 9-297588, index data for each of a large number of karaoke models is stored in a memory of a karaoke search remote control device. It discloses an invention that can be used for general purposes.
[0005]
In Japan, several karaoke providers are competing, each of which has a database of around 30,000 songs. It is not unusual for these karaoke providers to have different song arrangements, and that one provider's database does not have songs that exist in another provider's database. In addition, each provider is actively working to add songs to the database, and some providers add more than 100 songs every month. Many of these additional songs are different for each provider. For example, one provider may focus on pops for young people, another may focus on enka songs, and so on.
[0006]
In addition, one provider handles many types of karaoke performance devices, and the arrangement of tunes that can be played differs depending on the type of device, and the configuration of karaoke data differs depending on the type of device. For example, the karaoke data for a high-end model with good sound and the karaoke data for a model that does not have a different musical instrument configuration or have no back chorus or hamori function.
[0007]
As described above, there are many problems that must be solved in order to realize a search-type karaoke remote control device that can be used universally even if the type of karaoke performance device is different because of the complicated circumstances.
[0008]
The search-type karaoke remote control device that the applicants put into practical use is based on a palmtop-type personal computer with a liquid crystal touch panel type user interface, and the specific communication that the applicant creates and distributes karaoke software. A music index database (sometimes referred to as an index or index data) for a karaoke model is stored in a built-in flash memory.
[0009]
In order to make this type of search-type karaoke remote control device a multi-provider multi-model general-purpose type, a song index database for all karaoke models of many providers is stored in the memory of the remote control device. This has serious problems such as an excessive increase in the memory capacity, frequent need to additionally update the database, and a long time required for the database update process. Moreover, in spite of taking such risks, the practical use site of each remote control device is almost exclusively used for one karaoke model, so it must be said that the architecture has poor cost performance. .
[0010]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An index updating method for a search-type karaoke remote controller according to the present invention is specified by the following items (1) to (7).
(1) The song index database is logically divided into song index data arranged using song IDs as keys and model-specific attribute data arranged using song IDs and model IDs as keys.
(2) The song index data describes basic song attribute information unrelated to the karaoke model, such as song title, artist name, composer, lyricist, and the like. The indicated time information is attached.
(3) The model-specific attribute data describes song selection number information and other performance attribute information that depend on the karaoke model required to reserve and play a karaoke song corresponding to the song ID in the karaoke model corresponding to the model ID. The information for each model is accompanied by time information indicating the time of registration in the database.
(4) Prepare the latest music index database covering a large number of karaoke models in the information providing device.
(5) The search-type karaoke remote control device notifies the information providing device of the latest time information and model ID of the music index database that it has.
(6) The information providing device extracts the missing item index data in the search-type karaoke remote control device based on the notified time information, and also lacks the karaoke remote control device based on the notified time information and the model ID. And extracts the model-specific attribute data of the corresponding model, and transmits the extracted data to the search-type karaoke remote control device.
(7) The search-type karaoke remote controller additionally registers the received song index data and the model-specific attribute data in the song index database.
[0011]
In the present invention, the following specific items (8) and (9) are preferably satisfied in addition to the above specific items (1) to (7).
(8) The search-type karaoke remote control device uses a means for storing a plurality of model IDs specified from a large number of model IDs as use candidate model IDs, and uses the designated one of the use candidate model IDs. There is provided a means for storing as a model ID.
(9) A plurality of use candidate model IDs are notified to the information providing device together with time information, and model-specific attribute data corresponding to the plurality of use candidate model IDs is registered in a possession database, and the use in the Validate the model-specific attribute data corresponding to the model ID.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
=== Search-type karaoke remote controller ===
FIGS. 1 and 2 show an external view and an electronic system configuration of a search-type karaoke remote controller to which the method of the present invention is applied. The search-type karaoke remote control device of this embodiment is a computer having a size of about B5 size and a little thickness, that is, a so-called palmtop type keyboardless computer.
[0013]
Externally, most of the front of the device is occupied by a liquid crystal touch panel 1 in which a transparent touch sensor 1b is superimposed on a liquid crystal display panel 1a, and a central processing unit 2 including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a liquid crystal display panel 1a. , A display driver 3 for detecting the input coordinates to the transparent touch sensor 1b, and a flash memory 5 as a large-capacity external storage.
[0014]
The search-type karaoke remote control device includes short-range wireless communication means (IrDA transceiver 6, infrared LED 7, infrared light receiving element 8) for communicating with the reservation receiving means of the karaoke performance device 32 (FIG. 3), and a cradle shown in FIG. A power supply battery (not shown) that is charged by being combined with a charging station 31 (charging station), a communication control unit 9 that performs data communication with the karaoke playing device 32 via a data communication path attached to the cradle 31, and the like are mounted. The infrared LED 7 and the infrared light receiving element 8 are arranged in the center of the upper side of the remote controller, and are laid out above the liquid crystal touch panel 1 so that the directivity thereof is oriented.
[0015]
=== Music index database and song selection reservation ===
The central processing unit 2 stores and manages the music index database in the flash memory 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the music index database is logically divided into music index data arranged using music IDs as keys and model-specific attribute data arranged using music IDs and model IDs as keys. Have been. The song index data describes basic song attribute information unrelated to the karaoke model, such as song title, artist name, composer, lyricist, etc., which includes time information indicating the time of registration in the database. Is attached. The model-specific attribute data describes song selection number information and other performance attribute information depending on the karaoke model required to reserve and play a karaoke song corresponding to the song ID in the karaoke model corresponding to the model ID. There is time information indicating the time when the information is registered in the database.
[0016]
The search karaoke remote controller 30 (central processing unit 2) is configured to store a plurality of model IDs specified through appropriate user interface means among a large number of models as use candidate model IDs, There is provided a means for storing one model ID specified from the IDs via an appropriate user interface means as a use model ID.
[0017]
As will be apparent in the following description, the flash memory 5 of one search karaoke remote controller is used as a music index database that is directly accessed by the central processing unit 2 and is set and stored in the remote controller. Model-specific attribute data for a plurality of models corresponding to the ID is stored. In addition, of the model-specific attribute data for a plurality of models stored in the flash memory 5, only the model-specific attribute data corresponding to the use model ID set and stored in the remote controller is valid. .
[0018]
As described above, in one search karaoke remote control apparatus, the flash memory 5 has a music index database in which only model-specific attribute data for one model is validated. This song index database is a database that describes attribute information of a large number of songs used for performance by a certain type of karaoke apparatus, and includes song numbers, song titles, artist names, lyrics of sung parts, trendy seasons, and music. Various attribute information such as genre classification, title of used movie or TV drama, used TV commercial, history of winning various music awards, and whether or not it is a duet song are included in this. Also, for a specific karaoke model, model-specific attribute data that describes information indicating whether the song can use the hamori function, whether the song can use the single player duet function, whether the song can use the scoring game function, etc., is also included. I'm talking.
[0019]
The central processing unit 2 executes a process for searching for a music desired by the user based on the music index database. In the initial state of the database search process, a search menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1. When the singer's name search button on this search menu screen is touched, for example, the display switches to the kana character palette screen of 50 sounds. On the screen, touch the kana character and input in order from the initial of the singer name (in the middle) If the search execution button is touched, a corresponding music group is extracted from the music index database and displayed in a list. When the user selects a desired song from the song display screen and performs a reservation event operation, a karaoke performance of the above-described model in which short-range wireless communication means (IrDA transceiver 6, infrared LED 7, infrared light receiving element 8) is present nearby. By communicating with the reservation receiving means of the apparatus, performance reservation information including identification information of the desired music is notified to the karaoke performance apparatus.
[0020]
=== Update of Music Index Database ===
As shown in FIG. 3, the search-type karaoke remote control device 30 is mounted on the cradle 31 when not in use. The cradle 31 has a function of charging a secondary battery built in the remote control device 30 and a function of forming a communication path so that the karaoke performance device 32 and the communication control unit 9 of the remote control device 30 can perform data communication. I have.
[0021]
The hard disk device of the karaoke performance device 32 stores the latest music index database covering a large number of karaoke models. This song index database is also referred to as the latest all-model index database, and the song index database possessed by the search-type karaoke remote controller 30 is also referred to as the model-extracted version index database to distinguish between them.
[0022]
The latest all-model index database held by the karaoke performance device 32 is updated in a timely manner by communication with the communication karaoke host device. In other words, the latest all-model index database is created on the side of the communication karaoke host device, and the host device distributes the augmented update data at an appropriate opportunity to communicate with a large number of karaoke performance devices 32 scattered in various places. Each karaoke apparatus 32 has the latest all-model index database. FIG. 5 shows the logical structure of the latest all-model index database.
[0023]
The search-type karaoke remote control device 30 (the central processing unit 2) uses the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. To update.
[0024]
First, the remote control device 30 receives the release number Ri of the latest all model version index database from the karaoke performance device 32, and compares it with the release number Rj of the model extraction version index database held by itself (step 401 → 402). . The release number is related to the “time information indicating the time of database registration”, and the latest one of the time information corresponds to the release number here.
[0025]
Next, if the release number Rj of the remote control device 30 is older than the release number Ri notified by the karaoke performance device 32, the remote control device 30 notifies the karaoke performance device 32 of its own release number Rj (step 403). At the same time, the use candidate model ID set and stored in the remote control device 30 is notified to the karaoke performance device 32 (step 404).
[0026]
In response to this notification, the karaoke playing device 32 extracts new song index data (data irrelevant to the model) after the release number Rj from the latest all model version index database. At the same time, new model-specific attribute data after the release number Rj is extracted from the model-specific attribute data for a plurality of models corresponding to the notified use candidate model ID. Then, the karaoke performance device 32 transfers the extracted program index data and model-specific attribute data to the remote control device 30.
[0027]
The remote control device 30 receives the song index data and the model-specific attribute data from the karaoke performance device 32 (step 405), and updates the database to additionally register the received data in the model extraction version index database held in the flash memory 5. The process is executed (Step 406). As a result, the latest version of the index database applicable to the plurality of models corresponding to the use candidate model IDs stored and stored in the flash memory 5. From among these, the index database for one model corresponding to the use model ID stored and set is validated, and music search processing and performance reservation processing of a desired music are performed using this.
[0028]
When the setting of the use model ID of the remote control device 30 is changed, if one model ID is set as a new use model ID from the use candidate model IDs stored and stored, the index for the corresponding model is used. Since the database exists in the flash memory 5, there is no problem. If it is desired to set a model that does not exist in the use candidate model ID as a new use model ID, the model ID is set and registered as a use candidate model ID and a use model ID, and then a karaoke performance as an information providing apparatus is performed. The device is connected so that data communication can be performed with the device, and required database information is transferred. Of course, the karaoke performance device alone cannot be the information providing device. A data source using various media such as a personal computer, a communication karaoke host device, or a digital data broadcast receiving device specialized for this purpose can be the information providing device.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in order to make the search-type karaoke remote control device a multi-provider multi-model general-purpose type, a song index database for all karaoke models of many providers is stored in the memory of the remote control device. This eliminates the need for an irrational architecture.
[0030]
Even if it is a general-purpose search-type karaoke remote control device of multi-provider and multi-model, the number of karaoke models that the actual purchaser may use is likely to be overwhelmingly narrowed down to a few types. The situation will usually be limited to one particular karaoke model. However, the hardware configuration and the basic software configuration of the search-type karaoke remote control device are all general-purpose types, so that the price of the device can be reduced.
[0031]
On top of that, index information that differs depending on the number of karaoke models of a number of providers is aggregated on the information providing device side with a reasonable database logical structure, and the database update process according to the usage status of each search-type karaoke remote control device is performed. It can be carried out. The amount of data transferred to the database update process is also minimized, so that the database update process can be completed in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a search-type karaoke remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic system configuration of the search-type karaoke remote control device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the above-mentioned search-type karaoke remote control device and an information providing device (karaoke performance device) are coupled to each other.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure in which the search-type karaoke remote control device communicates with the information providing device to update its own index database.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a logical structure of a music index database according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 Search-type karaoke remote control device 31 Cradle 32 Karaoke performance device (information providing device)

Claims (2)

The song index database is logically divided into song index data arranged using a song ID as a key, and model-specific attribute data arranged using a song ID and a model ID as keys.
The song index data describes basic song attribute information unrelated to the karaoke model, such as song title, artist name, composer, lyricist, etc., which includes time information indicating the time of registration in the database. Is attached,
The model-specific attribute data describes song selection number information and other performance attribute information depending on the karaoke model required to reserve and play a karaoke song corresponding to the song ID in the karaoke model corresponding to the model ID. Yes, these model-specific information is accompanied by time information indicating the time when it was registered in the database.
Prepare the latest song index database covering a large number of karaoke models in the information providing device,
The search-type karaoke remote control device notifies the information providing device of the latest time information and the model ID of the music index database that it has,
The information providing device extracts the missing item index data of the search-type karaoke remote control device based on the notified time information, and also lacks the karaoke remote control device based on the notified time information and the model ID. Extract the model-specific attribute data of the corresponding model, transmit these extracted data to the search-type karaoke remote control device,
The search-type karaoke remote control device additionally registers the received song index data and the model-specific attribute data in a song index database that stores the song index data and the model-specific attribute data.
An index updating method for a search-type karaoke remote control device, characterized in that: 2. The search-type karaoke remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of model IDs specified from the plurality of model IDs are stored as use candidate model IDs, and one of the use candidate model IDs is designated. Is provided as a use model ID. The information providing device is notified of a plurality of use candidate model IDs together with time information, and the model-specific attribute data corresponding to the plurality of use candidate model IDs is registered in a holding database. In addition, an index updating method for a search-type karaoke remote control device characterized by validating model-specific attribute data corresponding to a use model ID therein.

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